Mr Rumbalicious

The key to Mr Rumbalicious is finding the right conditions. On normal ground, he transforms: 2 wins from 6 races, which is 33%, or roughly 1 in every 3. That's a completely different horse to the one who plods through soft, wet ground without ever threatening. His trainer has been open about the plan — wait for better spring and summer conditions before rolling the dice again, with a potential trip to Perth followed by a return to Cartmel, the track where he won back in August 2023.

That Cartmel win is worth dwelling on. It was his most recent victory — now 34 months ago — and the trainer spoke warmly afterwards, suggesting Mr Rumbalicious might actually prefer the ground even firmer than what he had that day. For a horse who competes mostly at Class 5 level, the bottom end of the British racing ladder, winning 1 from 13 at that level (8%) tells you he's not dominant even in the easier races. But Moffatt's view is that the handicapper has been kind to him — meaning the weight he carries in races gives him a genuine chance when everything clicks.

His recent form makes for uncomfortable reading: no wins in his last six races, with a run just yesterday and finishing positions largely in double figures. There have also been incidents — he ducked out at one track, then unseated his rider at another — which Moffatt has been refreshingly honest about, calling them momentary lapses rather than signs of a deeper problem. He describes the horse as a good jumper and a straightforward character, which counts for something in a sport where difficult horses can drain everyone around them.

Mr Rumbalicious is not going to win a big race. But as a fun, honest horse in the hands of a trainer who clearly likes him and knows exactly what he needs, there are worse stories to follow through a northern summer.